The North Fork Hostel — Hotel in West Glacier

My best friend and I worked in Glacier Nat'l Park in college and go back whenever we can. We'd visited Polebridge several times, but never spent the night. Square Peg was perfect; comfortable and homey. You should know, though, that Polebridge is totally off the grid, which means using an outhouse (some properties have septic, but not this one), propane lights, only cold, non-potable running water, and staying warm via a wood burning heater (plenty of fuel provided.) We didn't cook or shower, but could have in some form. We checked ourselves in and out at the hostel, run by ranger Oliver, whom we met at the Polebridge park entrance on our way out. Staying overnight allowed us to experience the Northern Lights Saloon for Friday night pizza and live music, and breakfast from the famous Polebridge Mercantile bakery. It's not for everyone, but if you're up for an adventure, it's unlike anyplace else...

My wife and I rode our mountain tandem bike over Whitefish Divide and camped at the North Fork Hostel. I emailed Oliver the day before that we were coming and he told us to make ourselves at home as he would be home from work after 5:30. ||We showered (quickly), pitched our tent and took in the area before Oliver arrived.||The hostel is off the grid. Solar power. Propane gas. Outhouses.||||If you look beyond the rough edges, Polebridge is a gem of a place to visit. At night, we were at the saloon in town as the sun and moon finally set. There are not many outside lights in Polebridge. It was a clear night and the stars came alive. My wife who is visually impaired could actually make out stars and the Milky Way. Of all of the nights on our cycling adventure, that was the most magical.||||The North Fork Hostel is very very...

Loved our stay at the Square Peg Cabin, a rustic homestead a stone's throw from the Polebridge Mercantile. Being greeted by the genuinely friendly owner and shown the basics of lighting a propane lamp (the only source of light 'sides the good Lord's golden orb) was a bit unnerving for us city dwellers, but we quickly settled into the off-the-gird community life of the itsy-bitsy town of Polebridge. The surrounding area is gorgeous and it's oh-so-easy to take it in when you're sipping local brews at the log built restaurant adjacent to the Merc. The cabin has three double beds (bring your own sheets or pay $5 a set) and a solar shower nearby. Outhouse is nice - apparently it was featured in a book about outhouses, LOL! Overall, would absolutely stay here again if visiting Glacier National Park. Weeknights ran...